Posts Tagged ‘Northern snakehead’

The northern snakehead discovered recently in a Burnaby, British Columbia pond is being analysed by Biologists. By all accounts it is the first time this invasive species has been found in Canadian waters.

Researchers are hoping to determine that the fish was an accidental release from someone’s exotic fish tank, although I don’t know why anyone would have a Northern snakehead as a pet.

In case you’re not familiar with these nasty critters, here’s an excerpt taken from my book Weird Facts about Fishing:

The northern snakehead is another odd fishthat is native to the Yangtze River in Chinawhere they survive in large numbers. However,as with many other accidental introductions intoNorth American waters, they can also be a scarysight and create substantial damage. The northernsnakehead story in the United States dates back tothe turn of the new millennium where a restaurantowner from New York City reportedly orderedsome snakeheads to make soup for his restaurant.Well, that’s when all the trouble started. Thenorthern snakehead, you see, is a very peculiarfish in not only its looks but in its ability to breatheair. These critters can live for several days out ofwater and in China are often packaged andshipped live as they will remain fresh for longerproviding a fresher meal.

It is believed that the New York restaurantowner received his snakeheads for soup butfound them too cute to eat, so later decided to putthem in his aquarium instead. As the story goes,his two snakeheads quickly consumed all the‘feeder fish’ the restaurant owner offered themand in no time became too large for the aquarium.It is believed the man then released them intoa pond behind the house where these nativeChinesefish had their run of all the local panfish in the lake, which they made short work ofdevouring. As time went on, the snakeheadsreproduced and eventually found their way intoother nearby water systems. They have reportedlyeven been caught by anglers in Marylandand turned into the Department of NaturalResources for examination.

Because of their ability to breathe air and the factthat they are extremely resilient, with such a veraciousappetite, the northern snakehead is a realconcern to local waters. Some people call themthe “Jaws” of the new millennium. They areyet another example of an exotic fish speciesaccidentally released into non-native waters.Within a year, it was discovered that the snakeheadshad been found in six other U.S. states.

In 2008 President George W. Bush announcedtrade and import bans on 28 snakehead species,in an attempt to prevent any further spreading. Thenorthern snakehead is another weird and wonderfulfact in the world of fishing today, thoughprobably weirder than they are wonderful.

About Jeff

Jeff Morrison is an avid outdoorsman, a member of the Outdoor Writers of Canada and former Ottawa Sun Outdoors columnist.

Over the past 10 years, Jeff has contributed to several outdoor publications and websites, and has just written his first book – Weird Facts about Fishing.

A consummate sportsman and conservationist, Jeff enjoys hunting, fishing and camping. In The Outdoors Guy, Jeff picks up where he left off with the Sun column, and encourages local outdoor enthusiasts to share their thoughts.